Charity helps Shoah heroes relatives flee
A JEWISH charity is working in Ukraine and Poland with the special aim of supporting those whose ancestors protected Jews from the Nazis.
JRoots, which ordinarily organises Jewish heritage tours, has been helping descendants of Ukrainian Righteous Among the Nations flee the war zone.
The case is sensitive so those involved cannot be named, but co-founder Tzvi Sperber told the JC: “An English family turned to us for help regarding a family of a Righteous Among Nations who they were preparing to take in.”
In a neat piece of symmetry, the charity has been assisted by Polish volunteers among whom are several with ancestors who also helped Jews flee persecution in the 1940s. Mr Sperber, 52, who grew up in Britain and lives in Israel, said many refugees shared their stories with him after spotting his kippah.
“It’s coming full circle now, as we’re there to help and say thank you,” he said.
Anna Niedzwiedz and her husband, who works with Mr Sperber, have been supported by JRoots to open their Krakow home up to refugees. She told the JC she was inspired by her grandparents, who hid Jews from the Nazis.